With the cooperation of design galleries "Gallery CASA DE," "SOMEWHERE TOKYO," and "Objet d'art," JAPANESE MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY will be held at "ISETAN THE SPACE" on the 2nd floor of the main building of Isetan Shinjuku Store from March 20th, 2024 (Wednesday, public holiday).

The exhibition will feature works by 13 artists from "Objet d'art," including Junzo Sakakura, Isamu Kenmochi, Isamu Noguchi, and Sori Yanagi, as well as Charlotte Perriand, who also lived in Japan and was strongly influenced by Japanese aesthetics. From "SOMEWHERE TOKYO," works by 5 contemporary Japanese artists will be on display and available for purchase.

By exhibiting works ranging from past pieces to those of contemporary artists, this exhibition aims to reflect on the history of Japanese design, explore future diversity, and raise awareness of Japan's excellent design not only in Japan but also around the world.

This time, we will also be showcasing the "Gallery CASA DE" revival project. The revival project aims to revive wonderful products designed using traditional Japanese techniques from past archives and pass them on to the next generation. Five types of hand-embroidered carpets designed by Isamu Kenmochi, who served as the overall producer for the interior, furniture, and spatial design of the Keio Plaza Hotel, have been revived by Oriental Carpet Co., Ltd. with the cooperation of Kenmochi Design Institute, and will be available for order for the first time at Isetan The Space.

We spoke with event coordinator Yoshihiro Nakazato about the highlights of the exhibited works and his thoughts on the revival project.

—What do you think is the appeal of Japanese modern vintage furniture, Mr. Nakazato? Do you feel that it is receiving global attention and recognition?

One of the appeals of Japanese modern vintage furniture lies in its original Japanese designs, which are influenced by modern design primarily from France, Italy, and America.
Some items are made using traditional materials and techniques such as bamboo and rattan, resulting in products that are both functional and embody traditional Japanese aesthetics.
I believe that global attention and appreciation for works by artists such as Isamu Noguchi and George Nakashima are increasing year by year. The rising auction prices and the increasing opportunities to see their works at international fairs suggest that their future popularity will continue to grow.

—Could you please pick out some works by the masters you'll be introducing today and tell us about the unique characteristics and highlights of each piece?

This chair was designed by Sori Yanagi in 1967 and manufactured by Akita Mokko, a company famous for its bentwood technology.
This chair was also used in a project by Charlotte Perriand, and is a rare work by Mr. Yanagi, with very few surviving examples. The piece on display this time was a favorite of an Italian university professor of architectural history, and we were miraculously able to find it.

"AKARI" is a light sculpture born from the combination of traditional lantern-making techniques and the ideas of Isamu Noguchi. Numerous models were created over 35 years, starting in the 1950s. One of these models, the 22N, features a design that emphasizes the shape of the light with four thin wire legs.

A wall sculpture by straw artist ARKO. Beautiful forms are created by sewing together strands of straw.

A floor lamp by artist Ryosuke Harashima. It's a modern interpretation and reinterpretation of a traditional Japanese paper lantern.

—Could you tell us how the carpet reproduction project by Mr. Isamu Kenmochi came to be realized?

Originally, Gallery CASA DE was undertaking a revival project aimed at passing on traditional techniques and designs to the next generation by reproducing products designed using traditional techniques from past archives. This project began when an employee of Oriental Carpet Co., Ltd. became interested in our exhibition and visited it several times.

—What are the designs of the five different carpets?

This time, Oriental Carpet Co., Ltd. will be reproducing five types of hand-embroidered carpets designed by Isamu Kenmochi, who previously served as the overall producer for the interior, furniture, and spatial design of the Keio Plaza Hotel, with the cooperation of Kenmochi Design Institute.

Isetan The Space will be offering, for the first time, made-to-order sales of three of the twelve square-shaped rugs designed for the main lobby, one round-shaped rug, and one lattice-shaped rug designed for the Presidential (suite) room.

—The concept features French vintage pieces such as those by Charlotte Perriand, as well as Japanese vintage pieces. Could you tell us some key points for coordinating outfits?

Charlotte Perriand came to Japan in 1940 as an "export crafts advisor" at the recommendation of Junzo Sakakura, an architect who worked at Le Corbusier's office. She had a profound influence on modern Japanese design, and she herself was influenced by traditional Japanese crafts. The works of these two influential figures complement each other well, and by adding a foreign perspective on Japanese beauty, I believe that a new kind of Japanese interior will be created, incorporating even more modern elements.

• Isetan The Space

  Based on the keyword "3less," this experimental pop-up space was created to showcase pioneers of style with a unique worldview and innovative spirit that captivates people around the world, and to present creations with essential value that are not swayed by trends.
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